Creator Stories – Kit Resources

Profile of YouTuber and author Ali Abdaal

Ali Abdaal never expected to leave his medical career to become a productivity expert with over 5 million YouTube subscribers (and a major book deal). But he thought teaching on YouTube was fun, and that changed everything. This is how he started and scaled his business to millions in revenue and a life he loves. 

How this doctor turned YouTuber and author learned to create on his own terms again

Dan Go’s journey is filled with heartache and growth—both personal and professional. Learn how he uses Kit and the Creator Network to run a successful fitness business.

How this creator pivoted and scaled his business after overcoming personal loss

Fed up with constant travel, Dorie Clark pivoted to work on her own terms, with her own audience, leading her to online course creation and Broadway. 

How this author used email marketing to create a passive income stream and work 50% less

From Brazil to Los Angeles, Jo Franco’s career included scaling a YouTube channel to 1.2 million subscribers until one day changed everything and inspired a major life and business pivot.

YouTube Star, Netflix Presenter, and Founder: One Creator’s Journey from Undocumented to Documenting

Profile of artist and writer Danny Gregory

Danny Gregory triumphed in the advertising world before tragedy struck. But his resilience and passion for creating helped him bounce back to scale his newsletter to 20,000 subscribers and inspire artists around the world.  

How drawing changed this artist’s life and led to a $45K paid newsletter

Profile of Enchanted Book Club founder Hayley Solano

Hayley Solano was born to read. But she had no idea her passion would take her across the world, building a community of book readers and leading a popular paid book club.

How this creator scaled her book club from a few casual readers to tours of literary locations across the globe

From 21 friends to an audience of 26,000+ subscribers, this is how storyteller Lawrence Yeo went from corporate to creator.

Why this creator left the corporate world and became a storyteller

When software developer Maurizio Leo started baking sourdough bread as a hobby, he had no idea that one day it would lead to a six-figure business or a book deal. 

How this baker went from sourdough enthusiast to a six-figure, New York Times bestselling author

Profile of travel blogger Alexandra Jimenez

When travel blogger Alexandra Jimenez burned out from the stress of her personal life and the pandemic, she took a break. Then the unexpected happened: her business jumped back up to 7-figures.

How a travel blogger pivoted during the pandemic to rebuild a 7-figure business

Is there only one way to be successful? Becca Syme grew up believing there was. But when she learned that there was more to the story, she opened up a world of possibilities for herself, and helped others unlock the same potential. 

How a fiction writer redefined success for herself and helped others do the same

Writer. Podcaster. Freelancer. Course Creator.

Profile of writer and podcaster Terry Rice

Terry Rice was on a good path with his business, speaking on stages around the country, and saying “no” to work that didn’t fit. But then his kid’s gymnastics class led to a chance encounter that changed the trajectory of his career.

How a corporate marketer pivoted to consultant and landed a hosting gig for Entrepreneur magazine

Profile of voice actor and coach Carrie Olsen

Like most actors voice actor Carrie Olsen relies on multiple streams of income for stability. For her, building an engaged email list was the key to helping her build longevity into her creative business.

Why this voice actor started an email list

Artist Chris Legaspi lived the hustle lifestyle creating caricatures and video game graphics until burnout made him step back and figure out how to monetize his courses on autopilot.

How creating automated courses helped this artist kick burnout to the curb

When Chris Howes became a dad, his priorities changed. He traded in his fast-paced, highly successful NYC touring schedule to move back to Ohio and teach music online.

How a world-class jazz violinist went from Lincoln Center to building a business at home

Anne-Laure Le Cunff started a newsletter to help her study neuroscience. She had no idea it would turn into 40K subscribers and her own business.

How this founder ditched the Silicon Valley formula to start a newsletter

Bird blogging may not have seemed like the “safe” choice, but Scott Keller loved it and put in hard work to create a community and new way of earning a living.

Why an insurance agent became a secret bird blogger

Find out how design expert Charli Prangley keeps both passions running as Kit’s Creative Director and creator of her design-focused YouTube channel, CharliMarieTV.

How to be a creator with 200K YouTube subscribers AND work a full-time job

Find out how Tori Mistick of Wear Wag Repeat turned her love of fur babies into a full-fledged business supporting other women in the pet industry. 

How a dog mom turned her blog into an award winning pet business

Drew Holcomb thought his music career was over until he trusted his instincts, sat in his grief, and wrote his first hit song in 10 minutes. 

How to make music you love and find the right audience

Learning that a number doesn’t define success or worth helps Aileen Xu continue creating out of authenticity, even when the numbers are down.

Untangling self-worth from audience size

When Dan Runcie began sharing the why and how of hip-hop mogul’s business moves, he found a devoted audience—and a thriving business.

Building a home for the business of hip-hop

After quitting her engineering job and taking her travel blog full-time only two weeks before the pandemic shut down travel, blogger Gabby Beckford wasn’t about to give up on her dream.

Keeping a travel blog afloat during a global pandemic

Serein finally found true joy when she stepped out of the background of TV cameras and found her spot front and center as a beauty vlogger.

The beauty of a YouTube community

Profile of writer Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

Rejection couldn’t stop Jennifer Keishin Armstrong from taking any road possible to realizing her dream of becoming an author.

How a journalist quit her job to become a New York Times bestselling author

Profile of music producer Kato On The Track

Music producer Kato On The Track never gave up on his music. From working side jobs as an exterminator to learning the music business, Kato turned his dream into a career.

From eviction to 30 million views on TikTok

How Chef Daniella Malfitano niched down her audience to stay true to herself and her food philosophy.

An education in food and community

Profile of finance YouTuber and podcaster Nick True

It’s not just about the budgeting. For Nick True, sharing his lifelong passion of finances is about helping people win the game of life.

The True meaning of financial freedom

Profile of fashion designer Whitney Manney

Not even the slow-paced fashion world of the Midwest could keep Whitney Manney from dreaming big and creating freely, boldly, and brightly.

“The cloth I’m cut from”

When Shelby allowed herself to do the “irresponsible” thing and add some color to her bullet journal, a small rebellion of art turned into a career.

Giving in to “irresponsible” art

Rebecca Dekker wanted to focus on the data, but quickly learned that if you really want to make an impact and connect with your audience, you just have to tell your story.

The power in telling your story

Profile of performance psychologist Noa Kageyama

When Noa Kageyama realized he didn’t love the thing he’d dedicated his life to, it was time to decide if the resistance he felt was the kind you push through or the kind that helps you choose a new path.

Fight or flight: When resistance feels worth it

Pinterest Marketing Strategist for Creators

Profile of marketing strategist Cara Chace

Cara had always let her analytical side run the show. But when her government job of 10 years slowly deteriorated her health, Cara knew it was time for a change. She never could have guessed that in a short time she’d not only be handling her favorite band’s social media, but that she’d find the freedom to be creative.

The magic of having no other choice

Profile of founders Prerna and Mayank Malik

When an unknown illness took Mayank out of work, he and his wife Prerna bet on themselves. Instead of sticking with traditional jobs, they took an intentionally different path to build something of their own - a lifelong dream coming true.

Slow and steady makes the dream

When Austin Church gave himself permission to be the fully-feeling creator he is, he connected more deeply with his audience building a business helping creatives achieve their dreams.

Thriving in business as a sensitive person

Consultant for creatives + CEO of MOXIE Nashville

Changing perspectives and unveiling clarity are qualities that can’t be taught. While Vannesia Darby was successfully building her digital marketing business, her ability to draw people out started bringing her new clients and more joy.

The work you were created for

How do you start your journey when you have no idea what it even means? Bonnie Christine googled “How to become a fabric designer” and then learned you can take on big goals one step at a time.

How to follow your dreams by googling

Depending on luck alone may have worked for a young Ed Latimore, but when this writer and former pro boxer learned to bet on himself, he found self-respect and the ability to dictate his own future.

The 4 lives of Heavyweight pro boxer

Designer Kelsey Baldwin had two life-changing events happen on the same day. But instead of letting the weight of a-world-turned-upside-down keep her down, she looked to the one thing she knew she could control - her business.

Single mom on a mission

When Srini Rao turned a blog into a WSJ bestseller, he thought his life was set. But when faced with setbacks, he learned to let go of expectations and get back to the man who was happy to sell 300 copies of his book.

Audience over ego

Musicians today also have to be multifaceted creators. Ryan Baustert of Throw the Fight learned that building a music career was like building a business.

How to survive as an indie musician

When you’re burnt out on your calendar, but not on your mission, what’s your next play? Fashion curator Brandice Daniel took a chance that brought the biggest opportunity of her life - leading a team of designers for Nike.

The fashion outsider

After getting an engineering degree, running a record label and then a marketing agency, Chris Craft landed back at the art he loved as a child - writing. 

It all starts with the words

When Wall Street money wasn’t patching up the hole in his soul, online coach Khe Hy left his "dream job" after 14 years to write to his 36 email subscribers.

Quitting Wall Street to become a creator

What happens when you ask yourself, “What if?” For creator Jenell Stewart, the answer was the freedom to be herself, understanding her value, and the start of a new business.

The natural, inherent value of you

After 30 years of working in her craft, cartoonist Jessica Abel realized she’d taken a grassroots marketing approach to build a full-time business

Taking control of your creative life

Online video coach XayLi Barclay learned the best lessons from her grandma - one including the limitless potential of a creator. Find out how giving her 110% to everything led her to creative possibilities she didn’t even know existed.

Creating her own colors

With a nickname synonymous with stubborn relentlessness, it’s no surprise that editor John Fox takes each rejection as a chance to improve his craft. Find out how knocking on all the doors finally opened the right one. 

The Bulldog

What happens when you give up traditional expectations to fund your biggest dreams? Find out how Teela Cunningham went from crying during her commute to covering her family’s living expenses for a year with one launch.

The 5 month runway

Profile of author coaches and podcasters Steve and Azul

When the illusion of security leaves you feeling trapped, how do you break free? Find out how author coaches Steve and Azul turned down big career advances, packed 2 suitcases, and found their freedom.

Empty Nesters

How watercolorist Angela Fehr, a girl from a small town in the middle of nowhere, learned to trust the process of believing in herself.

Giving yourself permission

How parenting blogger Nina Garcia dreamed the impossible dream and quit her job. 

Getting comfortable with instability

How muralist Eric Friedensohn owes his success to losing everything.

Fireproof optimism

Profile of web designer Chaitra Radhakrishna

How web designer Chaitra Radhakrishna found the beautiful side of failure.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

How embarrassment gave motion designer Austin Saylor the motivation and courage to overcome procrastination and perfectionism. 

Never say never

When you have no one to look to, you blaze your own trails. This is the story of travel blogger Gloria Atanmo going for her dreams and paving the way for others to follow.

Chasing Dreams

How fine artist Kimberly Brooks continues to embrace the digital age by seeing technological shifts as an opportunity to communicate the things that never change.

The lifecycle of creativity

How Courtland Allen, founder of Indie Hackers, didn’t let five years of failure or burnout stop him from pursuing his dream.

The long warm up

Homesteader and author Deborah Niemann never dreamed that her love of goats could turn into an online business, the ability to save goats all over the world, or security in her own self-reliance.

No niche too small

For writer Jessica Bird, every day is a gift. This is her story about chronic illness, trauma, and how a conference changed her life.

“I want them to know I was here.”

For Grammy-nominated musician Dave Barnes, the slow days in his creative journey were the foundation to big, affirming, life-changing moments that happened in an instant.

Electric blue dreams

A story about taking chances, struggling with self-doubt, and how one lawyer-turned-full-time-food-blogger didn’t let that (or the haters) stop her.

“I wanted to be happy now.”

While her heart was always set on starting a family, Mique Provost wasn’t willing to give up on her creator spirit. This is how she built a blog that supports her entire family. 

How this mom of three turned her need for a creative outline into a full-time creator business

Always the self-starter, Sarah Morgan went from journalist to aerial artist and teacher to freelancer. This is how she built her online presence and created digital products to help other creators do the same. 

How this aerial artist and web designer turned her blog into a full-time business

Profile of teacher and blogger Dave Stuart 

Dave Stuart had no desire to leave teaching, but wanted to create more financial security for his family. This is how he built a business using writing, online courses, and digital products to do work he loves.

How this middle school teacher started a blog that helps him support his family

Every time Krista Stryker hit a new goal in the gym, it gave her a boost of confidence. With that confidence she became a certified personal trainer, started her blog 12 Minute Athlete. This is how she turned that blog into an exercise app and a full-time creator business. 

How this blogger turned her first pull-up into an app and a successful creator business

Profile of magician and YouTuber Asad Chaudry 

Asad Chaudry didn’t start his creator journey knowing how to design a website or run a business, but he picked up all of these skills and more. This is how he built 52 Kards to become a 1M+ YouTube channel and a thriving creator business.

How this magician built his creator business using YouTuber, Kickstarter, and email

Profile of podcasters The Fantasy Footballers

From the outside, it may look like the guys behind The Fantasy Footballers are trying to make money by hanging out and watching football, but their first year of business proved how much hard work goes into what they do. This is how they built a business that supports all of their families while sharing their favorite hobby with each other and with the world.

How these Fantasy Football podcasters use Patreon and create digital products to run a successful creator business

When Chad Collins’ daughter asked if they could create a YouTube channel together to share their LEGO creations, he enthusiastically said yes. This is how that fun project turned into a full-time business including live LEGO events that brought families together.

How this LEGO YouTuber created live events that brought families together and allowed him to quit his job

Barron Cuadro never imagined his longtime love of men’s fashion would turn into a business. This is how having an email list, selling digital products, and working with brands he aligned with made it possible for him to become a full-time professional creator.

How this fashion blogger’s commitment to building an email list led him to be able to quit his job with his first digital product launch

Profile of Photographer Courtney Slazinik

Courtney Slazinik started her photography blog during her kids’ naptime and committed to working on it for three years to see if she could turn it into a business that would allow her to stay home with her kids. This is how she discovered how selling digital products could be a way to become a full-time professional creator. 

How this doctor turned YouTuber and author learned to create on his own terms again

Inspiration for creators like you

How this doctor turned YouTuber and author learned to create on his own terms again

How this creator pivoted and scaled his business after overcoming personal loss

How this author used email marketing to create a passive income stream and work 50% less

YouTube Star, Netflix Presenter, and Founder: One Creator’s Journey from Undocumented to Documenting

How drawing changed this artist’s life and led to a $45K paid newsletter

How this creator scaled her book club from a few casual readers to tours of literary locations across the globe

Podcast

Listen to the stories

Films

Short films about the creator journey

Take the next step on your creator journey